Watch The King of Masks

The King of Masks is a Chinese movie from 1996 directed by Wu Tianming. It is a drama that tells the story of a renowned street performer named Wang Bianlian, who is known as the King of Masks, for his ability to change masks quickly and to bring life to the characters he portrays during his shows. The movie is set in Sichuan province in the 1930s, a time when China was going through cultural and societal changes. The story unfolds when Wang Bianlian, an elderly man without any family, decides to adopt an heir to keep his art alive. He goes to a market and buys a young boy named Doggie, who is sold by his father to help him and his wife survive.

Wang Bianlian is impressed by Doggie's ability to mimic his performances, and he decides that he will train him to become his heir. However, after a while, he discovers that Doggie is actually a girl, and that she has disguised herself as a boy to avoid being sold into a brothel. Initially, Wang is angry and wants to return her to her father, but he soon realizes that the girl is talented, and he decides to keep her as his pupil.

As they travel from town to town, performing shows and gaining popularity, Wang becomes very fond of her, and he sees her as his own daughter. However, their peaceful life is disrupted when a group of bandits kidnaps Doggie, mistaking her for a rich boy they can use as ransom. Wang tries to rescue her with the help of a local officer, but they fail, and Doggie is taken away.

Desperate to find her, Wang seeks the help of an opera singer named Master Liang, who agrees to help him in exchange for a favor. Master Liang is interested in adopting Doggie and taking her to Shanghai, where she can study and perform, but Wang refuses, as he wants to keep her for himself.

The rest of the movie follows Wang as he tries to find Doggie and reunite with her, facing various obstacles and tribulations along the way. At the same time, he realizes the importance of family and the need to pass on his art to future generations, even if they are not blood-related.

The King of Masks is a touching movie that explores themes of family, tradition, gender, and social inequality. It portrays the struggles of a man who is trying to preserve his art and culture in a rapidly-changing world, while also confronting his own biases and beliefs. At the same time, it shows the resilience and bravery of a young girl who defies societal norms and expectations, and proves that talent and determination have no gender.

The performances of the actors, especially those of Xu Zhu, Renying Zhou, and Zhigang Zhao, are outstanding, bringing to life the complex characters and the emotional depth of the story. The cinematography and the music are also noteworthy, adding to the atmosphere and the authenticity of the setting.

Overall, The King of Masks is a beautiful and inspiring movie that teaches us the value of tradition and the power of art. It encourages us to embrace our passions and to share them with others, even if it means crossing boundaries or challenging conventions. It is a movie that will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.

The King of Masks is a 1999 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.